How to Fix a Bad Scene | Novel Writing

[@EllenBrock]

Hi guys! I'm excited to be back making videos again. It's been a hard couple of years, but things are (fingers crossed) looking up. My hope is that I will be able to shift my focus onto making videos for you guys as we move into 2022! I tried something a little different with this video and used notes on a tablet so that I could do the whole thing in one take with minimal cuts. I'm very rusty so I apologize for the loss of camera focus at a few points and any other technological failings. Let me know if you have any video ideas for the future. I appreciate you all so much!

[@Thesilverninja]

Whoa, surprise video! Great job, Ellen. I really like how you planned out your shot to have space for your graphics. I don't think you looking at your tablet is distracting because I'm mainly listening to the advice and will rewind as necessary.

[@ivygenesis5743]

glad to have you back, Ellen 😍 as a next video, can you tap into side characters? i was thinking about how to tell if a character should be in the story or not. the obvious way to ask yourself if the plot still works if you remove them, but i was thinking about characters that are kind of there, and you need them in certain scenes but they leave you kind of meh. i hope this makes sense :))

[@aarondonley8546]

Great new video Ellen! Thanks and excited to see what you’ve got next. 👍

[@Mr.H-YT42]

Welcome back. I don’t know what you film with, but there are teleprompter apps that might fit the bill if you like notes or a script in eyeline of your camera

[@brandig3649]

This video came at the perfect time and is so helpful. So glad you're back! One thing I'm struggling with is the "fun and games" beat of the novel (Act 2 Part 1). There's so much that happens in the beginning and the end, but I'm unsure how to add conflict to this beat that feels significant and moves the plot forward, but that's not as earth shattering as the break into act 2 or the midpoint. Would love your take on this section as I feel like I hear so much more about the beats around it rather than attention on it (same with Act 2 Part 2, really, but "bad guys close in" feels easier on the conflict part).

[@malintries]

I'm so excited! I discovered your channel while it was "on a break" and thought sadly you were done making vids, so you have no idea how happy I was to see you back!! Your channel is one of the BEST resources I've found on novel writing, you always explain things sooo well and I always leave your videos feeling like I've truly learned valuable things xx

[@EllenBrock]

Thank you so much!

[@sweettea6309]

Exactly alot of these novel writing channels are full of people who are wordy or try too hard to come off like literary geniuses and end up with a video that has a lot of words and zero meaning

[@EllenBrock]

Timestamps 01:23 Does the scene move the plot forward? 02:37 Does the reader need to see the scene happen? 04:18 Is there a conflict? 05:44 Is it obvious to the reader that the scene pushes the plot forward? 06:56 Does the character experience an emotional shift? 08:16 Is the scene still not working? 10:57 Does the scene contain vital information? 11:35 Do you like and want to keep the scene? 12:23 Does the part you like require an entire scene? 13:53 Does the information require an entire scene? 15:27 Is it possible to move the information to another scene?

[@stansb19ot5atinforte9]

Thanks, your vids are helpful. Just you talking is enough.

[@JohnBradford14]

I just wanted to let you know that I and so many others are happy and thankful to have you back. Your videos helped inspire me to pursue a more serious approach to creative writing that I hope to turn into a full time career in the near future. Out of all of the authortube channels, yours has definitely proven to consistently be one of the most professional, useful and constructive. Again, thank you so much for all of your hard work and dedication.

[@EllenBrock]

Wow, thank you!

[@escapeartist1258]

I really am going to have to start subbing in the word "obstacle" for "conflict" because I always get the wrong impression when I read that stories need conflict. Obstacle clicks in my brain way better - it implies the character moving forward or toward a goal but then something impedes them, gets in their way.

[@racoon2623]

your advice is genuinely some of the best on the platform, so glad to see you back!

[@morgantraynor2444]

You’re back!!! So glad to see you again. :)

[@ldfm-z5r]

So happy to see you are well and ok. I was concerned. Sorry to hear you’ve had a rough couple of years. Wishing you all the best! Everyone is right, your content is awesome!💜💜

[@EllenBrock]

Thank you so much!

[@JoelAdamson]

A lot of KZbinrs start with "sorry I haven't posted in a while," but in this case I have actually been waiting and looking forward to it. Great to see something new, Ellen! Thank you!

[@miaramck6746]

This is why we're subbed to you, lol!

[@MxZui]

YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HAPPY AND GRATEFUL I AM YOU'VE POSTED AGAIN! WELCOME BACK! YOU'RE ONE OF THE VERY BEST WRITING CHANNELS ON KZbin!!! 👑💛🤗

[@kokorodokidoki6437]

me too! 😆

[@AroundTheCampfire]

The Return of the Queen! Welcome back :D

[@cravidana1182]

Oh my gosh, you're back. I missed you. ❤️

[@pauligrossinoz]

*That was **_awesome!_* I just polished my outline using these ideas. I moved several scenes slightly forward or backwards - to the previous or next chapter, and then deleted a bunch of useless scenes. I cut a total of 2 full chapters worth of unnecessary scenes, which improved the pacing a lot. I'm left now with a logical, but minimalist, outline that flows through my story quickly. I also decided to add one more constraint to my outline, which is: *All chapter endings need to feel tense to the reader.* That means if the current chapter answers or resolves something that the reader was worried about from the previous chapter, then it has to generate new tension to replace it. Or, alternatively, the chapter has to end with a strong reminder of a previous point of tension that is as-yet unresolved in the story. This principle of "end-each chapter-with-tension" is often achieved by me just moving a scene into the next chapter. Problems have to get disconnected from their resolutions to keep the reader turning those pages. My chapter endings are things like: leaps into the unknown, trying a desperate escape method, or, at least something like receiving an ominous warning note.

[@kellimccalla]

Ah! You found it! "Is it obvious to the reader?" That is going to revolutionize my writing thank you!! I love Easter egg scenes that will pay off later, but it will be incredibly beneficial for me to remember to add something to those scenes that the reader can latch on to more immediately. Not to mention it will hide those moments even better until I'm ready to reveal them. Thank you!!!

[@extraHERO]

It always feels like miracle when you come back

[@bethanycox6143]

Ellen is baaaaaaaaack!!!! 🙌

[@cozyhomemakingvibes]

This notification popped up while I was working on my phone and I was so happy to see it! I was thinking how much I’ve missed your videos just the other day.☀️📚❤️☕️

[@johnthompson5335]

I have screen-captured the flow chart because it is so helpful. Thank you!

[@arsenicbug1537]

Ellen! It's been so long! I'm happy to see that you're back. I'll be revisiting your videos as I am about half done with my first book and in the time that you've been gone it seems like I haven't found an editor's channel here that has been quite as good as you in both content and presentation. Welcome back to KZbin 🥰

[@Ruylopez778]

While it's not an editing channel per se, I highly recommend the channel Writing for Screens (Glenn Gers). He has a lot of practical and insightful wisdom (like Ellen) without unnecessary fluff or rambling you get on some of the other channels. It's coming from a more 'screenwriting' perspective, but his tools, process and essentials videos all broadly apply to any kind of dramatic or creative writing.

[@arsenicbug1537]

@@Ruylopez778 I actually used to listen to a lot of lessons from the screenplay and I’ve read save the cat (and Ellen has it linked in her video description here). Thank you for the suggestion since screenwriting is a very good way for people to learn good structure (and at times may be worth me revisiting since I think there’s a few sections where I need to answer “does the reader need to see this scene”)

[@Ruylopez778]

@@arsenicbug1537 No worries. I think Ellen is also a fan of Story Grid (although that is most useful in the revision phase, than writing phase). I also enjoy LFTS, but what I like about Glen's videos is he is approaching it more from the 'creating' side, where LFTS and so on, are more like an analysis of what already works. Both have their uses. Glen's "6 questions" are about focusing on individual scenes and what the purpose is of each one. If there's a specific aspect you're thinking about e.g. pacing, hooks etc 'Writing Excuses' has a massive archive of podcasts you can search also.

[@chrisgeorge3107]

I am so glad you're back. Your advice is great, your intuition is clear, and you are articulate and intelligent. Inexpressibly good content.

[@EllenBrock]

Wow, thank you!

[@chrisgeorge3107]

@@EllenBrock I mean it! Glad you saw it, too. 👌🏼

[@ZemogNaes]

Ellen, I never comment on KZbin. Just wanted to say I'm glad to see another of your videos. I don't want to say "welcome back" because you should go at your own pace. You don't have to be "back". Thanks for the new video!

[@EllenBrock]

Thank you very much!

[@FF-FAN9999]

Welcome back! Missed your videos

[@SuperDPL]

Ellen, I was genuinely worried, because of the radio silence. Take care, we love your videos.

[@A.H._]

i'm so glad you're back! looking forward to your new videos!

[@fie2281]

Welcome back! I was just binge watching your older videos a couple days ago.

[@dwihokaihoanjasmara6356]

It's been a year!! Wellcome Back!!

[@CivilDefenseEngineer]

YOU"RE BACK! Woo

[@johnpauldagondong2720]

OMG, ELLEN. I WAS JUST THINKING OF YOU!!! SO GLAD YOU'RE BACK!

[@VieneLea]

Aaah! I love to see you back! The best booktuber!

[@orangenblue6981]

Happy you’re back. Your channel Has helped my writing so much!

[@emma-leefortune8331]

Welcome back Ellen!!!!!!

[@sarahg9060]

Great advice regarding what is actually a conflict and what isn't! Gave me a sort of a-ha moment with my novel in progress.

[@nikkinewbie6014]

That made me sit up and take notice. That was clarification I didn’t even know that I needed.

[@kristoffer2250]

Been here since the start and imo you're still one of the best among all of the youtubers in the writing community

[@abbeyBominable123]

Oh my gosh! You're back! Yay!

[@WriterBrandonMcNulty]

The legend is back! Loved this video for its simplicity and depth. I'll be saving that flowchart for my next round of revisions. Keep the videos coming!

[@EllenBrock]

Thanks Brandon!

[@Dado_cz]

Yaaay, Ellen is back! We missed you🙂

[@villainoir]

Hello, I had your video recommended in my home and I, of course, had to click. Then I realised this is your first upload in a year. I just want to say thank you to all authortubes in this platform who make information as accessible as possible. As someone who doesn't have enough money to go to workshops and live in a country with poor literary culture, videos like yours could be the only one that we can count of. Welcome back!

[@wirdoline]

🤦‍♀I literally have a scene in a library that can be scrapped off. Thanks Ellen!

[@booksfellover]

You're back yay!!

[@enchantlit8442]

Welcome back Ellen!! 💕

[@dubugman]

So glad to see you back!

[@AlyssaMatesic]

Wow, the flow chart graphic is beautiful! Glad to see you back on KZbin again!

[@celessehinton9081]

Your tips and lessons are the reason my manuscript feels authentic and reads well. So glad to see you back online!

[@letskillbunny]

so glad you’re back!!

[@AeliosArt]

Good to see you back. Been struggling with this exact thing, and too many channels give too vague of advice lol. Love how practical and easy-to-use your advice if. Hope your life makes room for more content like this

[@linx8617]

I have just started writing short stories for kicks (maybe a novel in the medium future) and this is exactly what I needed. Ellen's blog is a gold mine of knowledge for writers.

[@Randomcorpse]

Oh, I've missed these videos. Welcome back!!! It's a tough thing to monitor, because often scenes simply add seasoning to a story, and as a writer that makes it tough to omit. But this is a really great breakdown. As I stick to a single storyverse (per genre) I also feel obligated to additionally task even short stories with general worldbuilding, which is fine when it blends ambiently in, but I find it can sometimes snag a reader's interest, distorting their expectation of further focus on an almost flippant element.

[@TheToneBender]

Oo she's back. I literally just saw another video of you pop up in my recommended and wondered when you'd make another one :-)

[@rotsune]

This has been incredibly helpful for me, just information wise. I tend to, in my first draft, write everything out, long form and then as I edit, I struggle to condense it down. This list of criteria should make it a lot easier for me to actually pick and choose what gets cut, or just condensed into a smaller scene or combined into a smaller section to save space. I really can't thank you enough! (Putting it in with the Brandon Sanderson Lectures for 'go-to writing advice, I am.)

[@EllenBrock]

I'm so glad you found it helpful! Thank you!

[@_MegaWolf_]

Hey Ellen, glad you are back :)🎉

[@lostboi2271]

What a pleasant coincidence, just last week I was looking up a few videos of yours and now you're back 😄

[@MsRezar]

(: I'm so happy to see you posting again. :) You approach writing like a skill, a science, as it deserves. You give us deep dive into problems of writing and simple, clear examples. I couldn't find replacements for your videos. Besides, I can't wait for the next video. It's been a while since I watched your last, and most sources cover writer's types only briefly. A dedicated video for each type sounds perfect. Edit: If you would have any advice that would be even better. Organized pantser here! ;) Take care, and welcome back!

[@kokorodokidoki6437]

Yeah, I'd love practical advice for the 4 types. I just know that I'm one of the hybrid types. ❤️

[@MrMJrules]

Yay!!! So glad to see you’re back! As always, your videos couldn’t come at a better time! 😊

[@Pumpkinshaker]

You’re back! 🌟😃

[@meghana1113]

Yay! You posted again ❤❤

[@feirozeakhter7786]

It's like I found a long lost cousin, Ellen's BACK. Your diagrams work, very well. Ideas are coming access incredibly coherently. Thank you Ellen.

[@thelatelatelatelateshow]

Thank god you’re back! This is the nuts and bolts of writing - no stupid cutesy jokes or shilling just actual, tangible writing advice that works. Please keep going!

[@laurenloertscher1319]

SHE HATH RETURNED. Honestly, your videos are really, really helpful. I'm writing my first book right now, and your work on KZbin took me to a whole new level.

[@cjpreach]

This video is a reminder that YOU WRITERS are doing many, many things when you build and develop your stories. Well done! Keep writing!

[@tamarleahh.2150]

I've watched a few videos on this topic but the way you're explaining it is still really helpful!

[@gayatri555]

There are times when you care abour a creator beyond what they create. You fall in that category Glad you are ok

[@EllenBrock]

Thank you very much! That means a lot to me.

[@lonegunman0616]

Omg. You're back. So happy. Need you to finish the series you left on.

[@EllenBrock]

My next video will be in that series! Thanks!

[@zurckoni]

nice to see you back. thanks

[@danielvickery3311]

love you! Glad you're back!!!

[@authorliswrenn]

Thanks! I've the halfway on writing my story but I always feel something goes wrong in my novel. But I just don't have any ideas how to find out what is wrong. Your insight was incredible, and I am really grateful that I came across your video.

[@lionkingmatiouz3441]

So glad to have you back Ellen. Thanks for this useful "scene chart". My suggestion for a future video would be "for an architect/plot writer, when to decide to jump from the story work (theme, plot, world, characters, scenes,...) to the actual writing of the novel". Greetings from France :)

[@chrisannlittle]

Welcome back!! Thank you for your information 🙏 😊

[@chrish1645]

I was just watching some of your older videos yesterday. Super glad to see you posting again. Super helpful video as well. At first I thought "Oh yeah I got this, make sure the scene moves the plot. I knew that", but then you went five layers deeper. I also have to say I'm surprised you're not writing yourself (or maybe you are) given your obviously excellent grasp of novel structure, and editing techniques. Regardless, thank you for sharing so many good tips and techniques. I Hope 2022 is better for you, and everyone here.

[@malastrom884]

oooh i'm so happy to see you back! I already feel this new video will be super helpful!

[@freshlybrewedtruth5600]

really enjoyed this video. Your explanation about how to move the plot forward without just throwing random conflict in the story..really brought some clarity to problems I'm having in writing my story.

[@gabgonzales4570]

Eyyyy, welcome back queen! Looking forward to seeing more of you in the future!

[@WolfishMagic]

Im not writing a novel but i love ur old videos :D hope ur ok and able to upload!

[@escalofriada]

Ellen! You're back! I was really worry because you didn't post something on your social media since the lookdown, I even sent an email asking you if you were okay 😂 I'm glad you're back and looking fine! THANK YOU FOR YOUR AMAZING VIDEOS

[@LoveSaidNo]

This comes at the perfect moment! I‘ve just read my worst chapter ever and I appreciate your help very, very much. Thanks a lot! Edit: I actually think of printing this diagram and using it for editing my chapters. This is awesome helpful

[@KatieWillems]

Your videos on structure were golden for me. Got me through a story beginning to end (and all the in between!) for the first time ever. I'd be so interested in what a revamped structure video would be like! Thanks for all your help :D

[@joesjoeys]

Ellen Brock, novel editor, is back BABY!!!! I've missed your absence and look forward to new content!

[@ТимурСарсембин-ж9м]

I am so glad everything is ok with you and you are back to inspire people to write with your new videos!

[@alphalamda545]

Welcome back!

[@qine6559]

Super happy to see you back!!! So happy to see you!!!

[@Writing4Jesus247]

Welcome back, Ellen! So happy to see your content! You have the best writing/editing tips on youtube. Thanks for another great vid!

[@_sofie]

Eyyy you’re back

[@CsnvLsRnst]

You really have no idea how happy I am to see you back :)

[@cece_is_me6268]

You're back!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeeeaaaaahhh! Your advice is game changing and love your concise delivery with examples. I prayed this day would come! 😊

[@NadiaMyFavoriteWorld]

I found you from my bookstagrammer friend! I am so happy because I am in a writers block! I started a novel months ago and for two (almost) months I haven't write anything! I am pantser and it's so difficult because I don't know how can I suppress some scenes. I think that is time to be a pantser as many writers. I have friends author's who always tell me to have a plot before begin. To methodology my draft. Maybe it's the right time! Thank you for all!! 🌻 Go on! ❣️✒️

[@skyeoh5908]

AHHHH!!! Recently, I have just started writing again and getting addicted to it. Your timing of coming back cannot be more impeccable. Here's to wishing you all the best in your endeavors and me keeping this passion going :D

[@SMACKtheSoupGoblin]

Welcome back!!! I think I can speak for everyone when I say we were worried and we’re glad you are safe and healthy 🥰

[@Poisonedblade]

Welcome back!!!!! I was gonna polish my final massive story outline... but then got hired back into the game industry again, so I've been way too busy building fantasy universes. I gotta say, you are THE BEST when it comes to story advice. The ultimate best!

[@asharablack]

I'm thrilled you're back! I discovered your channel during your break and I binged all your videos, because I've found your advice so much more helpful than pretty much any other youtube channel on this topic. So much writing advice is directed at beginners, and I was starting to think that I knew everything. But then you came along and provided not one but several key insights that have made me see things from a totally different perspective.

[@moodby]

You're back! I've found your videos very helpful as an aspiring writer, thank you so much!

[@clairerendulic2465]

Happy you are back. One on the best writing channels available. This is good news during a hard week.

[@OdeezyBaby18]

You're back! Today is such a good day!

[@gedankenpilze2810]

A lot of information - thank you! I'll need to rewatch this several times

[@robrumble3991]

So glad to see you back, Ellen! This video couldn't have come at a better time! 😁

[@GreenBlueWalkthrough]

Yay your back! And great video although the chart needs to have a pacing and world building braches to cover sences with out conflict, Vital information or plot. Like in my first book I had a rule if I spent to chapters on non stop action I would need 1 chapter of pacing and or Filler to build out the world, let the characters conect and give the reader a breather.

[@kellimccalla]

Yaaaaayyyy I've missed you! Can't wait to learn when I have some alone time!

[@Raelunil]

I am so happy you're back and doing well! ☺️ I look forward to the in-depth dive into the different writer types!

[@zachindes]

Great specific info. In the moment it’s difficult to ask these questions so to have a chart is awesome

[@Nostang3]

OMG. I was so surprised to see this. I'm happy to see you back. I missed your writing guides so much now that I'm deep into writing a novel.

[@Krcko202]

so nice seeing you again